Robbery suspects run from police, crash into patrol car

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 6:51pm

Staff reports

Four robbery suspects allegedly led police on a chase Wednesday morning that ended with the suspects crashing into a patrol car after officers deployed spike strips to flatten the vehicle's tires, Metro Police said.

Convicted felons Lawrence Baker, 24, and Ronterrese Armstrong, 22, along with John Bryant, 22, and Ronnell Glass, 19, are accused of robbing a man inside his Denson Avenue home at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The suspects allegedly fired shots inside the residence before they fled with several stolen guns in a gray Chevrolet Impala driven by Baker, according to police.

Trooper Michael Parker spotted the Impala a short time later on Due West Avenue. State troopers pursued the getaway vehicle for approximately 20 minutes before Hermitage Precinct officers successfully deployed spike strips on Bell Road which flattened both front tires of the suspect car. Baker allegedly struck Parker's police car before he pulled into a Bell Road parking lot and fled on foot, police said.

North Precinct Flex officers captured Baker and Glass after a brief chase. Armstrong, of Creekwood Drive, and Bryant, of Porter Road, remained in the car and were taken into custody by THP.

During the pursuit police said the suspects threw several weapons and other stolen items out of the car. Hermitage and North Precinct officers recovered the property.

All four suspects are charged with aggravated robbery. Armstrong, a convicted felon, is also charged with a Crooks with Guns law violation. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Baker, of Cheyenne Boulevard, has previous convictions for felony aggravated assault. He is also charged with being felon in possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and evading arrest. Baker's bond is set at $150,000. At the time of his arrest, Baker was free on $2,000 bond for a March domestic assault.

Glass, of Cheatham Place, is also charged with tampering with evidence. He remains jailed on $50,000 bond. Additionally, Bryant is charged with evading arrest. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond.

Photos of all four suspects are being withheld pending lineups in similar cases.